Contenders for job of UK PM face off in 2nd debate

The candidates to become the next British prime minister burnished their right-wing credentials Sunday. The five remaining hopefuls used the television debates with many used the time to highlight issues linked to Brexit and immigration.

Former Treasury chief Rishi Sunak, found himself defending his line on taxation. Sunak and Kemi Badenoch, a former equalities minister, are both non-white, while three of the remaining five contenders are women.

Liz Truss, the foreign secretary, is touting her international experience, as Britain’s top diplomat and a former trade secretary, and is vowing to take a tough line with the European Union in post-Brexit trade spats.

The final candidate, Tom Tugendhat is calling for a “clean start” after the months of scandals that eventually saw Johnson signal his resignation. The winner of the party race is to be announced on September 5 and will automatically become prime minister.